Recipe of Love: Juan and Gee of Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen and Bar
Juan and Gregory 'Gee' Smalls
Co-Owners of Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen and Bar
The dishes at Juan and Gee’s restaurant in College Park and West Midtown are located at the intersection of personal family history and American culinary history rooted in Gullah Geechee culture. In this portrait, the couple shares their love story and describes how their restaurant translates experiences of home and community into recipes, one plate at a time.
"Food is communication without speaking. When I’m cooking, I’m very intentional with every knife stroke, with every sprinkle of the seasoning. It takes me sometimes a couple of hours just to cook a simple meal just because I’m involved and connected to every piece of the process." – Chef Juan
More About Juan and Gee
Juan and Gee Smalls are a successful Atlanta-based couple that met in 2008. Since then, they have worked together to become Entrepreneurs, Restauranteurs, Certified Relationship and Life Coaches, Philanthropists, Authors and Media Personalities. In addition to television appearances, their expertise and unique perspectives on life, love and business have been solicited by a diverse group of clients including major corporations, public institutions, government agencies, community members and philanthropic organizations.
Since 2010, Juan and Gee have dedicated their careers to helping the underserved LGBTQ community by blogging, speaking, coaching, interviewing and working to inspire others to experience their best lives. Juan and Gee's passion for improving the lives of the forgotten and disenfranchised within their community led to the creation of LoveWorks, an organization with a mission to help all people find the love that works for them.
In 2011, Juan and Gee created “The Gentlemen’s Ball,” an annual black tie fundraising Gala and Awards program that celebrates the accomplishments of LGBTQ people of color who have made significant contributions in the community. The event has grown from seventy-five attendees to over six hundred- all coming from across the nation and abroad. In 2014, the annual fundraiser expanded with “The Gentlemen’s Foundation” whose mission is to promote the holistic development (mental, physical, emotional, social, economic and spiritual growth) of Black men in the Same Gender Loving (SGL) and LGBTQ community. The foundation has awarded scholarships, established mentorships, and advocated health and wellness through media outreach and support groups. The scope and effectiveness of the nonprofit foundation has attracted corporate sponsors and partnerships from organizations such as UPS, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, AARP, New York Life Insurance, Home Depot, and Gilead.
In 2019, the couple became Restaurateurs and opened Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar. Creating all the recipes from his family’s inspiration, Gee also officially became an Executive Chef. Named after his father, the first location opened in Historic College Park, with its 2nd location in West Midtown, and the 3rd opening in Old Town Conyers, Spring 2023. The duo also co-own The Breakfast Boys in College Park. Either or both establishments have been featured on Good Morning America, Fox 5, 11Alive, BET, Atlanta Magazine and more.
Juan and Gee have been awarded a number of community service awards, along with being included amongst Business Equality Magazine’s “40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40.” The couple live in Midtown Atlanta, with their son Gregory Jr.
Find Juan and Gee Smalls @juanandgee and Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar @virgilsgullahkitchen or visit www.virgilsgullahkitchen.com. Learn more about their foundation @thegentlemensfoundation.
Recipe of Love is a community portrait project that draws inspiration from The Hot Wing King to spotlight five Black and queer-owned restaurants, food trucks and food platforms in Atlanta, Georgia. The participants in this exhibit describe food as a language of love and as a binding agent for the Black and queer community. Each profile explores the way kitchens catalyze intimate, familial, and communal relationships that can reclaim history and self-worth to move our communities toward a more satiated feeling of belonging.
The exhibit pairs portraiture with audio interviews. It is available digitally and on display in the North Alcove Lobby in the Memorial Arts Building during the run of The Hot Wing King.
